Chennai's Best Home Health Care at your Doorstep

Summer readiness for seniors’ -preparedness and management

As a sequel to our previous article, in which spoke about the risks seniors are faced with during summer, in this article we’re going to talk about how seniors can beat the heat.

We have enlisted some general tips that seniors can follow to stay cool this summer:

Drink plenty of fluids: The general thumb rule is that seniors should get at least 10 glasses of water a day. It doesn’t have to be only water. You can make it exciting for yourself by including fruit juices, buttermilk, tender coconut water or milkshakes in your daily intake of fluids. They are all hydrating.

Keep away from caffeine and alcohol: Beverages like coffee, tea and soda are diuretic. So is alcohol. They may cause the need to urinate. This can be dehydrating in summer. Water, juices or milkshakes should be your preferred drink this season.

Avoid exposure to high temperatures: If you need to set out to run an errand or to get some exercise, do it early in the morning or towards the evening when the sun is not very high. Avoid going out during mid day when the sun is at its peak.

Dress Light: Avoid dark and heavy clothing as it absorbs heat. Wear light and loose-fitting cotton clothes that enable easy air circulation and that reflects heat.

Keep your house cool: Use air conditioning or the fan to keep your house from heating up. Keep your doors, windows and blinds closed to block out direct sunlight and heat from entering your house. Open out the windows and doors in the evening to allow natural air circulation when the temperature has reduced.

Be prepared when you go out: Carry some water and maybe an umbrella or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

Reduce core body temperature: If you find yourself heating up, do whatever it takes to reduce your body temperature. Here are some ways how you could achieve it:

take a cold water bath or an ice bath

sit under the fan or an air conditioner

drink plenty of fluids

eat crushed ice

place ice packs on your body

Diet: Feel free to binge on vegetable and fruits as they have a lot of water content such as watermelon, cucumbers etc. Keep off fatty and spicy food. Also, eat smaller meals at regular intervals.

Sometimes certain medication may cause dehydration or may mess with your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Talk to your doctor about it and he may change or adjust your dosage of the medicine for summer.

Be aware of the risks and symptoms of heat related illnesses. If you find that you have any of the symptoms take immediate action to cool yourself off and call for medical help. Keep emergency numbers handy at all times.

For more information and helpful guidance feel free to reach out to the Medical Team at One Life Home Healthcare to have a checkup done at the comfort of your home. The most common services availed are Home Nursing, Basic Bedside Assistant, Skilled Nursing at Home, Registered Nurse Services at Home and Medical Doctor visit at Home.